Multi-focal intraocular lens, and methods for making and using same

ABSTRACT

This intraocular lens includes an optic body having anterior and posterior walls, a chamber, and optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids, and method for making and using the same. The secondary fluid is substantially immiscible with the primary fluid and has a different density and a different refractive index than the primary fluid. The primary fluid is present in a sufficient amount that orienting optical body optical axis horizontally for far vision positions the optical axis through the primary fluid, thereby immersing the anterior and posterior optical centers in the primary fluid. The secondary fluid is contained in the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal for near vision positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid and the secondary fluid, thus changing the focus of the intraocular lens.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/139,144 filed in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on May 3, 2002 now abandoned, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This application claims the benefit of priority of provisional patent application No. 60/297,306 filed in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on Jun. 11, 2001, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to bifocal and other multi-focal intraocular lenses, their production, and to their implantation and use in the eye. In particularly preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the use of intraocular lenses in aphakia, pseudophakia, anterior cortical cataract extraction (acce), posterior cortical cataract extraction (pcce), accommodative restorative surgery for presbyopes, and in refractive correction surgery.

2. Description of Related Art

A general discussion of the human eye physiology will be provided for the purpose of furthering an understanding of this invention. Generally, the most outwardly visible structures of the human eye include an optically clear anterior cornea, the iris sphincter sitting behind the cornea, and the aperture of the iris, which aperture is referred to as the pupil. The pupil usually appears as a circular opening concentrically inward of the iris. Light passes through the pupil along a path to the retina in the back of the eye. In a healthy human eye, a physiological crystalline lens with a capsular bag is positioned posterior to the iris. The chamber between the posterior cornea and the front surface of the capsular bag is commonly referred to in the art as the anterior chamber. A posterior chamber is the area behind the anterior chamber, and includes the capsular bag and physiological crystalline lens.

Ciliary muscle concentrically surrounds the capsular bag, and is coupled to the physiological crystalline lens by suspensory ligaments, also known as zonules. Vitreous humor is contained in the posterior chamber behind the capsular bag. The vitreous humor is surrounded by the retina, which is surrounded by the sclera. The functional and interrelationship of these structures of the human eye are well known in the art and, for this reason, are not elaborated upon in detail herein, except as is needed or useful for facilitating an understanding of this invention.

Light entering the emmetropic human eye is converged towards a point focus on the retina at a point known as the fovea. The cornea and tear film are responsible for the initial convergence of entering light. Subsequent to refraction by the cornea, the light passes through the physiological crystalline lens, where the light is refracted again. When focusing on an object, ideally the physiological crystalline lens refracts incoming light towards a point image on the fovea of the retina. The amount of bending to which the light is subjected is termed the refractive power. The refractive power needed to focus upon an object depends upon how far away the object is from the principle planes of the eye. More refractive power is required for converging light rays to view close objects clearly than is required for converging light rays to view distant objects clearly.

A young and healthy physiological lens of the human eye has sufficient elasticity to provide the eye with natural accommodation ability. A young elastic lens may alter its shape, by a process known as accommodation, to change refractive power. The term accommodation refers to the ability of the eye to adjust focus between the distant point of focus, called the Punctum Remotum or pr (far point beyond 20 feet or 6 meters away), and the near point of focus called the Punctum Proximum or pp (near point within 20 feet or 6 meters away from the eye). Focus adjustment is performed in a young elastic lens using the accommodative-convergence mechanism. The ciliary muscle functions to shape the curvature of the physiological crystalline lens to an appropriate optical configuration for focusing light rays entering the eye and converging the light on the fovea of the retina. It is widely believed that this accommodation is accomplished via contracting and relaxing the ciliary muscle, which accommodate the lens of the eye for near and distant vision, respectively.

More specifically, the eye is “unaccommodated” for far vision by the ciliary muscle relaxing to decrease the convexity of the lens, according to accepted theoretical models of the function of the accommodative mechanism. In this unaccommodated state, the ciliary muscle relaxes, the suspensory zonules holding the lens in place and anchoring it to the ciliary muscle are at their greatest tension. The tension of the zonules causes the lens surfaces to take their flattest curves, making the retina conjugate with the far point pr. On the other hand, the ciliary muscle actively accommodates the eye for near vision by increasing the convexity of the lens within the eye via contraction of the muscle. In the accommodated state, the ciliary muscle is constricted in a sphincter-like mode, relaxing the zonules and allowing the lens to take a more convex form. In the fully accommodated state, the retina is coincident with the near point of accommodation pp. The maximum accommodative effort is termed the amplitude.

The term emmetropia is understood in the art to mean that natural focus of the optics of the eye when viewing a distant object (greater than 6 meters) is coincident with the retina. The term ammetropia means that the distance focus is displaced from the retina, such as in the case of hypermetropia, astigmatism, and myopia. Hypermetropia denotes an error of refraction caused when the retina intercepts the rays (or pencils) received by the eye before the rays reach their focus. Myopia denotes an error of refraction caused when the pencils within the eye focus to a real point before the pencils reach the retina.

According to one theory, the physiological crystalline lens slowly loses its elasticity as it ages. As the physiological crystalline lens ages, the alteration in curvature becomes less for the same action of the ciliary muscle. According to another theory, the physiological lens enlarges with age causing a decrease in working distance between the ciliary body and the lens, resulting in decreased focus ability for the same muscle action. For most people, generally the decline in focusing ability starts in youth and continues until the age of about 60. Generally, it becomes necessary for most people around the age of 40 to use near addition lenses to artificially regain sufficient amplitude at near to accommodate for the pp when attempting to perform near-point activities such as reading. This condition is known as presbyopia, and afflicts almost every human being.

With presbyopia, incoming light rays from the pp are focused at a virtual point situated behind the retina. The ciliary body-zonules-lens complex becomes less efficient at accommodating the focus of these rays on the retina. Convergence of the rays in a healthy, phakic (with lens) eye having presbyopia is most commonly achieved with the assistance of eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Distance and near objects can then be seen clearly.

Aphakia is the condition in which the crystalline lens is either absent or, in very rare cases, displaced from the pupillary area so that it adversely affects the eye's optical focusing system. The former condition may be congenital, but it is usually the result of cataract-removal surgery. With advancing age, the physiological crystalline lens tends to develop opacities—a condition known as cataractogenesis—which unless treated eventually leads to blindness.

In the absence of other pathology or degenerative changes, removal of the opaque crystalline lens afflicted with cataracts restores the possibility of obtaining good vision with refractive implements such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, or intraocular lenses. Pseudophakia occurs when the crystalline lens is replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens.

Removal of the crystalline lens by surgery entails the loss of ability to accommodate, so additional positive power in the form of a near addition is needed for near focus. If the synthetic lens is of proper power and results in the pr focusing on the retina, the refractive error for distance will have been eliminated. However, current synthetic intraocular lenses lack the flexibility of a physiological crystalline lens. As a consequence, it is difficult, if not impossible, for the ciliary muscle to focus current synthetic intraocular lenses in the same way as a physiological lens to adjust for objects near the pp. Thus, conventional monofocal intraocular lenses provide little, if any accommodating ability.

Generally, a plus-powered eyeglass lens or contact lens is used in conjunction with an eye having a synthetic intraocular lens to adjust for objects near the pp. Pseudophakic individuals corrected for distance and emmetropia will usually require a lens in front of their eye the equivalent of approximately +2.50 diopters of power to be able to focus on near-point objects between 12 and 20 inches from the eye (approximate). However, “reading” glasses and contact lenses have the drawbacks of being inconvenient, uncomfortable, susceptible to loss and breakage, and in the case of glasses, aesthetically undesirable to some users.

Several synthetic intraocular lenses exist with zones that alter near focus powers with distance, claiming to assist the pseudophake with viewing near objects. An example of such an intraocular lens is U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,448. One problem with these designs is the zones of far and near are present simultaneously on the retina, thereby resulting in some blur or visual distortion at distance and near.

An intraocular lens that uses multiple fluids of different refractive indices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,286. The intraocular lens of the '286 patent is comprised of a solid transmissive material having a hollow lenticule that encompasses the optical zone of the eye. By moving fluids of different indices of refraction through the lenticule, the lens can be made to change its power. A major drawback of the '286 patent and like structures is that channels and reservoirs are needed to translate one of the fluids away from the optical axis while translating the other fluid to the optical axis. For example, intraocular lens of the '286 patent has fluid reservoirs above and below the lenticle, and channels on both sides of the lenticle for interconnecting the reservoirs. The existence of interior or exterior channels and reservoirs increases lens production expenses, makes the intraocular lens more susceptible to damage, and may impede or prevent the folding of the intraocular lens. Lens folding and deformation is often desirable during implantation of the lens into the eye. The thinness of the channels also may increase surface tension to prevent the fluids from creating the desired accommodative effect.

The inventor is unaware of any existing intraocular lens capable of effectively and actively altering focus from distance to near and back in presbyopic or pseudophakic individuals by utilizing the natural movement of the human eye and/or head. Attempts to create a “focusing” intraocular synthetic lens have been less than successful, and presbyopia, whether age-related or in pseudophakia, continues to be a vexing problem within eye care with no highly successful solutions yet in existence.

Another drawback to intraocular lenses is that an eye that has received an implant for restoring the natural accomodation of the eye may have its refractive error changed by the process of the implantation itself. In this event, the focusable implant may function properly, but the powers needed to achieve clear distance focus may not be the same as calculated prior to insertion of the implant. For example, an IOL selected for an eye of a particular length that is to be operated on might not function to fully correct maximum distance vision after the eye has healed. As the eye heals, the lens may settle off-axis, tilt, or translate further forward or backward than the surgeon intended, leaving a refractive error that will make it necessary for the patient to use distance corrective lenses to see clearly.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an intraocular lens (IOL) that overcomes the above-described problems associated with the related art and restores a focus mechanism in presbyopic and pseudophakic eyes by providing accommodative function, with the shift from far to near vision and near to far vision by natural tilting movement of the head and/or eye, smoothly and without significant disruption to the field of vision.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method by which the intraocular lens of this invention may be implanted and used in a human eye to replace or supplement a physiological or synthetic lens.

Another object of this invention involves the treatment of one or more residual refractive disorders of the eye after the eye has received an element that allows it to focus, i.e. a multi-focal intraocular lens or other element that is designed to substitute for or increase the function of the human accomodative system.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described in this document, an intraocular lens of a first aspect of this invention comprises an optic body receivable into the human eye. The optic body comprises an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, and a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. The optic body has an optical axis intersecting the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center. The intraocular lens of this first aspect of the invention also comprises optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids. The primary fluid has a first density and a first refractive index, and is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the primary fluid, but not the secondary fluid. The anterior and posterior optical centers are thereby immersed in the primary fluid. The secondary fluid is substantially immiscible with the primary fluid and has a second density and a second refractive index that are different than the first density and the first refractive index of the primary fluid. The secondary fluid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis at a range of effective downward angles (so that the anterior wall faces downward in a downgaze) relative to the horizontal orientation for near vision positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid and the secondary fluid. Because the optical axis passes through both the first and second fluids in the downward gaze, a different total refractive index is established compared to the refractive index for the straight-ahead gaze. In a first preferred embodiment, the primary fluid has a greater density than the secondary fluid, and orienting the optical axis at a range of the effective downward angles translates the primary fluid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid at the anterior optical center and the secondary fluid at the posterior optical center. In a second preferred embodiment, the secondary fluid has a greater density than the primary fluid, and orienting the optical axis at the range of effective downward angles translates the secondary fluid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the secondary fluid at the anterior optical center and the primary fluid at the posterior optical center.

In accordance with a second aspect of this invention, an intraocular lens is provided for a human eye having a cornea, an iris that is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, and a retina posterior to the iris. The cornea, iris, and retina function together for transmitting incoming light along a light path that enters the human eye through the cornea, passes through the pupil and is transmitted to the retina. The intraocular lens comprises an optic body sized and configured for receipt in the human eye, preferably in the capsular bag of the human eye. The optic body comprises an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, and a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. The optic body has an optical axis intersecting the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center. The optical axis is situated in the optic body for placement in the human eye along the light path for intersecting the light path with both the anterior wall and the posterior wall. When the lens is received in the human eye, the light path intersects the anterior wall at an optically transmissive anterior visual zone having an anterior surface area, and the light path intersects the posterior wall at an optically transmissive posterior visual zone having a posterior surface area. The intraocular lens further comprises an optically transmissive lower liquid and an optically transmissive upper fluid. The lower liquid has a first density and a first refractive index, and is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the lower liquid. Preferably, most of the surface area of the anterior visual zone and most of the surface area of the posterior visual zone is immersed in the lower liquid. The upper fluid is substantially immiscible with the lower liquid and has a second density that is less than the first density and a second refractive index that is different than the second refractive index of the lower liquid. The upper fluid is contained in the chamber of the optic body above the lower liquid. The upper fluid is present in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation for near vision translates the lower liquid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the lower liquid at the anterior optical center and the upper fluid at the posterior optical center. Preferably, at the effective downward angles most of the surface area of the anterior visual zone is immersed in the lower liquid and most of the surface area of the posterior visual zone is immersed in the upper fluid.

In accordance with a third aspect of this invention, an intraocular lens is provided for a human eye comprising a cornea, an iris which is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, and a retina posterior to the iris. Incoming light is transmitted along a light path that enters the human eye through the cornea, passes through the pupil and is transmitted to the retina. The intraocular lens of this third aspect comprises an optic body, an optically transmissive upper fluid, and an optically transmissive lower liquid. The optic body is sized and configured for receipt in the human eye, preferably in the capsular bag of the human eye. The optic body comprises an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, and a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. The optic body has an optical axis intersecting the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center. The optical axis is situated in the optic body for placement in the human eye along the light path (passing through the pupil to the retina) for intersecting the light path with the anterior wall at an optically transmissive anterior visual zone and the posterior wall at an optically transmissive posterior visual zone. The optically transmissive upper fluid has a first density and a first refractive index. The upper fluid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the upper fluid, but not the lower liquid. Preferably, when the optical axis is in the horizontal orientation most of the surface area of the anterior visual zone and most of the surface area of the posterior visual zone are immersed in the upper fluid. The optically transmissive lower liquid is substantially immiscible with the upper fluid and has a second density that is greater than the first density and a second refractive index that is different than the first refractive index of the upper fluid. The lower liquid is contained in the chamber of the optic body below the upper fluid in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation for near vision translates the lower liquid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the lower liquid at the anterior optical center and the upper fluid at the posterior optical center. At the effective downward angles, preferably most of the surface area of the anterior visual zone is immersed in the lower liquid and most of the surface area of the posterior visual zone is immersed in the upper fluid.

In accordance with the construction of the intraocular lens of this invention, multi-focus vision is achieved by the natural motion of the user's eye and/or head, preferably without requiring external visual correction devices, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. For distant or far vision, the user gazes straight ahead to orient the optical axis substantially parallel to the horizon. In this straight-ahead gaze, the optical axis passes through either the optically transmissive lower liquid or the optically transmissive upper fluid. The refractive index of the fluid through which the optical axis passes and the curvature of the optic body alter the effective power of the lens for focusing for far distance (at the pr).

As the natural inclination to view near objects causes the eye to angle downward for near vision, such as in the case for reading, the upper fluid and the lower liquid move relative to the lens body to pass the optical axis (and visual axis) through both the upper fluid and the lower liquid. The combined refractive indexes of the upper fluid and lower liquid and the curvature of the optic body alter the effective power of the lens for focusing for near objects (at the pp). Thus, as the eye and/or head tilts downward for reading, the position of the eye and the angle of the optical axis of the intraocular lens relative to the horizon changes. This tilting movement alters the power of the lens by intercepting the upper and lower fluids with the optical axis. The effective power of the lens is returned to normal as the optical axis returns to the horizontal orientation and one of the fluids is removed from interception with the optical axis.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the intraocular lens is elastically deformable, such as by folding, to facilitate its insertion into the eye. By elastically, it is meant that the lens has sufficient memory to return to its original shape.

In another preferred embodiment of this invention, the adjustment in effective power of the lens is achieved without any moving parts (other than the flow of the refractive liquids) and without requiring the division of the intraocular lens into separate compartments via internal channels that prevent or inhibit elastic deformation of the lens.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a method is provided for using the intraocular lens of this invention. According to one preferred embodiment, an incision is created in the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or sclera of an eye having a posterior chamber and an anterior chamber. The intraocular lens is inserted into either the anterior chamber or posterior chamber of the eye through the incision. Preferably, the intraocular lens is placed in the posterior chamber of the eye, and more preferably the intraocular lens replaces a disposable lens in the capsular bag positioned posterior to the iris. The methods of this invention are especially useful for replacing a physiological lens that is virtually totally defective, such as in the case of a cataractous lens. The methods of this invention also find utility in the replacement or supplementation of partially defective lenses, such as in the case of myopia and hyperopia and presbyopia, where glasses, contact lenses, or other corrective devices are needed for correcting the partial defect. The lens may also be used in a refractive correction and/or presbyopic surgical procedure.

In accordance with yet another aspect of this invention, a method is provided for making an intraocular lens for a human eye. The method of this aspect comprises forming an optic body sized and configured to be received in the human eye. This forming step may be performed by, for example, molding (e.g., injection molding) or lathing. The optic body comprises an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, and an entry port communicating with the chamber. An optical axis intersects the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center. Optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids are introduced, either together or consecutively, through the entry port and into the chamber of the optic body. The primary fluid has a first density and a first refractive index, and is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the primary fluid and immerses the anterior and posterior optical centers in the primary fluid. The secondary fluid is substantially immiscible with the primary fluid, and has a second density and a second refractive index that are different than the first density and the first refractive index. The secondary fluid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis for near vision at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid and the secondary fluid. After the primary and secondary fluids are introduced into the chamber, the entry port is closed to enclose the chamber.

The primary fluid and the secondary fluid used in this method may each comprise a first liquid and a second liquid, respectively. A contact interface may be interposed between the first liquid and the second liquid, so that orienting the optical axis for near vision at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the contact interface. In one variation of this aspect, the first density is greater than the second density, and the primary liquid is introduced prior to the secondary fluid. Alternatively, the second density may be greater than the first density, and the secondary liquid may be introduced prior to the primary fluid.

In another modification to this aspect for making the intraocular lens, the optic body further comprises a vent. As the primary and secondary fluids are introduced through the entry port into the chamber, gas, if any, contained in the chamber is vented or expelled from the optic body through the vent.

It is to be understood that the aspect for making an intraocular lens, as described above, is not the exclusive method that may be practiced for making intraocular lenses of this invention. Many variations, modifications, and alternative steps and methods to those described above may be used to make the intraocular lens of this invention.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for the treatment of one or more residual refractive disorders of the eye after the eye has received an element that allows it to focus, i.e. an intraocular lens or other element that is designed to substitute for or increase the function of the human accomodative system. In accordance with this aspect, an intraocular lens is implanted into the eye of a human being. After the eye has healed from the implantation surgery, residual refractive disorders of the eye are corrected by reshaping a structure of the eye, most preferably the cornea, to improve far distance vision. Sufficient healing to proceed with the reshaping step will usually take about 3 months, but may be longer or shorter depending upon the recuperative abilities of the eye and the successfulness of the implantation surgery. Preferably, but not necessarily, the intraocular lens of this aspect of the invention comprises a multi-focal intraocular lens of the one the aspects of the invention described herein. However, it is to be understood that this method may be employed with an accommodative intraocular lenses having conventional or other designs, as well as other intraocular devices that allow the eye to accommodate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a human eye with a posterior chamber containing an intraocular lens according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the eye is gazing straight ahead at the horizon;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the human eye containing the intraocular lens of FIG. 1, in which the eye is angled downward in a reading position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, enlarged view of the intraocular lens of FIGS. 1 and 2, depicting the lens oriented as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, enlarged view of the intraocular lens of FIGS. 1 and 2, depicting the lens oriented as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, enlarged view of an intraocular lens according to a second embodiment of this invention, depicting the lens in the posterior chamber of the eye oriented in a straight-ahead gaze;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, enlarged view of the intraocular lens of the second embodiment of this invention, depicting the lens angled downward in a reading position;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, enlarged view similar to FIG. 3, depicting the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber of the eye;

FIG. 8 is a schematic, enlarged view similar to FIG. 4, depicting the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber of the eye;

FIG. 9 is a schematic, enlarged view similar to FIG. 5, depicting the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber of the eye;

FIG. 10 is a schematic, enlarged view similar to FIG. 6, depicting the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber of the eye;

FIG. 11 is a simplified illustration of an intraocular lens optic body set on a Cartesian coordinate system;

FIGS. 12-14 represent IOL schematics for the examples presented below; and

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic, enlarged views of an another embodiment of the intraocular lens in straight ahead and downward gazes, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND PREFERRED METHODS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in this section in connection with the preferred embodiments and methods. The invention according to its various aspects is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the attached claims read in view of this specification, and appropriate equivalents.

It is to be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an intraocular lens (IOL), generally designated by reference numeral 110, according to a first preferred embodiment of this invention. The intraocular lens comprises an optic body 112 sized and configured to be received in the capsular bag 160 of a human eye 150. The optic body 112 comprises an anterior wall 114, a posterior wall 116, and a chamber 118 between the anterior wall 114 and the posterior wall 116. The chamber 118 is preferably enclosed between the anterior wall 114 and the posterior wall 116, and more preferably is enclosed by a structure consisting of the anterior wall 114 and the posterior wall 116. The anterior and posterior walls 114 and 116 may be, for example, either made as a unitary “integral” piece or may be formed as separate members joined together to form the optic body 112. The optic body 112 has an optical axis 120 intersecting the anterior wall 114 at front apex (i.e., vertex) 114 a and the posterior wall 116 at rear apex (i.e. vertex) 116 a. The anterior wall 114 and posterior wall 116 are preferably spherical, although each may be aspheric, and may be modified into an aspheric shape or otherwise to compensate for astigmatism.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the anterior wall 114 is convex and the posterior wall 116 is concave relative to the direction that light travels into the eye 150. However, it is to be understood that in this and other embodiments of the invention, the anterior wall 114 may be concave and/or the posterior wall 116 may be convex, depending upon the desired effective power and refractive properties of the lens 110. Thus, the optic body 112 may take on a convex-concave, convex-convex, concave-convex, or concave-concave configuration, depending upon the particular needs of the individual. Additionally, either the anterior wall 114 or the posterior wall 116 may have a non-curved or flat surface with a radius of curvature equal to zero. In the event one of the walls 114 or 116 is flat, its optical center is assumed to be a region directly opposing the optical center of the other wall.

Because the fluids possess refractive indices, it is possible for one of the walls 114 and 116 to possess no curvature, i.e., to be planar or non-curved. Further, the radii of curvature of the anterior wall 114 and the posterior wall 116 may have the same or different absolute values from each other, depending upon the desired strength of the lens 110. It is also within the scope of the invention to use multiple anterior walls 114 and/or multiple posterior walls 116, and/or to have the anterior wall 114 and/or posterior wall 116 comprised of laminates. Further, the anterior wall 114 and/or posterior wall 116 may be implanted with a lens element or bi-refringent materials. Another possibility is to employ anterior and/or posterior walls with discrete refractive zones, especially concentric zones, such as in the case of Fresnel magnification. However, the optic body 112 of this first embodiment and other embodiments described herein is preferably, although not necessarily, free of interior and exterior channels, especially those that would prevent the deforming or folding of the optic body 112.

An optically transmissive upper fluid 122 and an optically transmissive lower liquid 124 are contained in the chamber 118 of the optic body 112. It is preferred in this and other embodiments of the invention that the optically transmissive upper fluid 122 be a liquid, and that the liquids 122 and 124 fill the entire chamber 118, thereby eliminating any gases or free space within the chamber 118. The lower liquid 124 is denser than and has a different refractive index than the upper fluid 122. The upper fluid 122 and the lower liquid 122 and 124 are substantially immiscible with each other. As referred to herein, substantially immiscible means that the upper fluid and the lower liquid undergo no or sufficiently small amounts of intermixing that the function of the refractive fluids is performed, i.e., multi-focal sight is obtained by physical tilting of the intraocular lens.

A simplified schematic of the human eye having the intraocular lens 110 of this first embodiment implanted in its posterior chamber 158 of an eye 150 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the eye 150 includes optically transmissive cornea 152, behind which is iris 154. The pupil (unnumbered) is interior to the iris 154 and commonly appears as a black circular area concentrically inward of the iris 154 when viewed from directly in front of the eye 150. The posterior chamber 158 of the eye 150 includes the capsular bag 160, which is shown in this embodiment holding the intraocular lens 110. The chamber between the cornea 152 and the front surface of the capsular bag 160, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is commonly referred to in the art as anterior chamber 156.

Ciliary muscle 162 surrounds the capsular bag 160, and is coupled to the physiological crystalline lens (not shown) by zonules 164. The portion of the posterior chamber 158 behind the capsular bag 160 contains vitreous humor, which is interior to sclera 168. Coating the sclera is the conjunctiva (not shown). Light entering the human eye is converged on the retina 170 at the macula 172, through the optics of the cornea 152 and the intraocular lens 110. As light rays pass through the lens 110, the light rays are bent or refracted to a point at the macula 172 of the retina 170 to provide a clear image. Other light rays that are incident on the retina 170 away from the macula 172 are also detected, usually as part of one's peripheral vision.

The optical axis 120 is situated in the optic body 112 for placement along a light path 121 that enters through and is initially refracted by the cornea 152, then passes through the pupil to the retina 170. An optically transmissive anterior visual zone 114 b of the anterior wall 114 defines a surface area through which the light path intersects the anterior wall 114. An optically transmissive posterior visual zone 116 b of the posterior wall 116 defines a surface area through which the light path intersects the posterior wall 116. Although the visual zones 114 b and 116 b may be coextensive with the outer perimeters of the anterior and posterior walls 114 and 116, the visual zones 114 b and 116 b are more typically smaller in diameter and concentric with the outer perimeters of the anterior and posterior walls 114 and 116. If the lens 110 is positioned in the posterior chamber 156, i.e., posterior to the iris, then incoming light traveling along the light path is refracted by the lens 110 subsequent to passing through the iris 154. Thus, when the lens 110 is in the posterior chamber 158, the iris 154 functions to filter or block a portion of the light that passes through the cornea 152. As referred to herein, the light path through a posterior chamber lens represents the portion of the light that enters through the tear film (not shown) and cornea 152, passes through the pupil and is refracted by the posterior chamber lens 110 to the retina 172. On the other hand, if the lens 110 is positioned in the anterior chamber 156, incoming light traveling along the light path is refracted by the lens 110 before the light passes through the pupil of the iris 154. When the lens is in the anterior chamber 110, the iris 154 serves to filter or block a portion of the light leaving the lens. As referred to herein, the light path through an anterior chamber lens represents the portion of the light that enters through the cornea 152, is refracted by the anterior chamber lens and then passes through the pupil to the retina 172.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show the intraocular lens 110 of the first embodiment of this invention positioned in the posterior chamber 158 of the eye 150 gazing straight ahead at the pr. In this straight-ahead gaze, the optical axis 120 is parallel to the axis along the horizontal plane 180, or in a horizontal orientation. (Horizontal plane 180 is shown in FIG. 2. As is understood in the art, the eye is usually not rotationally symmetric, so that the optical axis and the visual axis are not co-linear. Hence, if the optical axis is horizontal, the visual axis is usually slightly offset from the horizon. For the purposes of this invention, the straight-ahead gaze refers to the position at which the optical axis is oriented horizontally.) The optically transmissive lower liquid 124 is present in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis 120 in the horizontal orientation for distant vision positions the optical axis 120 through the lower liquid 124, and most of the anterior visual zone 114 b and the posterior visual zone 116 b are immersed in the lower liquid 124. Because the anterior visual zone 114 b and posterior visual zone 116 b are typically substantially concentric about the front apex 114 a and the rear apex 116 a, contact interface 123 between the lower liquid 124 and the upper fluid 122 is above the apexes 114 a and 116 a in the straight-ahead gaze. Preferably, the lower liquid 124 is present in a sufficient amount that in the straight-ahead gaze at least 70 percent, and more preferably all, of the anterior and posterior visual zones 114 b and 116 b are immersed in the lower liquid 124. Thus, in straight-ahead gaze, light entering the IOL travels along the optical axis and is primarily refracted by denser lower liquid 124. It is believed that any distortion caused by the presence of the fluid interface 123 (or plane of contact of the fluid 122 and liquid 124) in the anterior or posterior visual zone 114 b or 116 b will be minor and appear as glare to the extent it is even noticeable. The greater the portions of the visual zones 114 b and 116 b that are immersed in the lower liquid 124 in the straight-ahead gaze, the less the amount of glare or optical aberration, such as coma or halo, if any, that may occur.

The curvatures of the intraocular lens 110 are calculated to account for the refractive index of lower liquid 124 such that light travelling through the eye 150 from the Punctum Remotum may be focused on the macula 172. The anterior or posterior radii of curvature of the lens 110 may be selected depending upon the specific upper fluid 122 and lower liquid 124 chosen and the desired amount of accommodation. It is within the scope of the invention to form a lens which is capable of translating to any desired power for accommodation of eyesight, whether more (+) power or more (−) power upon down gaze. Adjustment of the lens power by modification of the optic body curvature is within the purview of those having ordinary skill in the art.

On down gaze, the optical axis 120 rotates to an angle φ relative to the horizontal 180, as shown in FIG. 2. Referring now more particularly to FIG. 11, the lens body 112 is shown in a straight-ahead gaze centered on a Cartesian coordinate system. The lens body 112 has width (w), height (h), and depth (d) on the x, y, and z-axes, respectively. In FIG. 11, the optical axis 120, the front apex 114 a and the rear apex 116 a all rest on the z-axis. Generally, the down gaze involves displacement of the optical axis relative to the horizontal or z-axis by a range of effective angles φ to accomplish the objects of this invention. The effective angles φ may comprise a range of 70-90 degrees, more preferably a range of 45-90 degrees, and in some cases as large as a range of 30-90 degrees. (Obviously, the natural tilting movement of the human head and/or eye does not pivot its intraocular lenses about a stationary x axis.)

In the down gaze, the optical axis 120 of this first embodiment is positioned at an angle φ relative to horizontal 180 to translate the lower liquid 124 higher on the anterior wall 114 and lower on the posterior wall 116. The upper fluid 122 is present in the chamber 118 in a sufficient amount that, at any effective angle φ within a range, the upper fluid 122 translates down the posterior wall 116 until the optical axis 120 extends through the upper fluid 122 at the back apex 116 a. Preferably, at the range of effective angles, most of the surface area of the anterior visual zone 114 b is immersed in the lower liquid 124, and most of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone 116 b is immersed in the upper fluid 122. More preferably, at the effective angles φ the anterior visual zone 114 b has at least 70 percent of its surface area immersed in the lower liquid 124. As used herein, the term “most” may mean “all,” in which case the anterior visual zone 114 b has 100 percent of its surface area immersed in the lower liquid 124. (For the purposes of determining the percent immersed surface area, the anterior and posterior visual zones may be assumed to be those for an IOL of this invention implanted into an adult human emmetrope modeled as described in the Optical Society of America Handbook.) Simultaneously, at the effective angles φ the posterior visual zone 116 b preferably has at least 70 percent of its surface area, and more preferably all (100 percent) of its surface area, immersed in the upper fluid 122. Under these conditions, the light rays first travels through the lower liquid 124, bathing the anterior visual zone 114 b, before traveling through the contact interface 123 then the upper fluid 122 bathing the posterior visual zone 116 b, before reaching the retina 170. Because the upper fluid 122 and the lower liquid 124 differ in refractive indices, light traveling through one medium will be refracted more than light traveling through the other medium.

In each of the embodiments described herein, it is preferred that the substantially immiscible fluids/liquids have a sufficiently low viscosity to permit them to freely translate at substantially the same time one's gaze changes from far-to-near and near-to-far. Thus, when the head or eye is returned to straight-ahead gaze, the fluids/liquids translate back to the primary position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. For the first embodiment, the light rays that focus on the pr pass primarily through the lower liquid 124. This change in power is created without the need for convexity change (e.g., flexing) of the anterior surface 114 or posterior surface 116 of the optic body 112. The change in power is also accomplished without moving the lens 110 relative to the eye 150, i.e., towards or away from the macula 172. Thus, in the first embodiment, on down gaze the upper liquid 122 is translated into the visual axis to provide the desired amount of accommodation for near, and the lens adjusts back to distance focus as straight-ahead gaze is restored.

The range of effective angles φ at which the upper fluid 122 immerses a majority of the surface area of the posterior visual zone 116 b is dependent upon the relative amounts of the upper fluid 122 and lower liquid 124 in the chamber 118. For this first embodiment in which the optical axis 120 passes through the lower liquid 124 in the straight ahead gaze (FIGS. 1 and 3), the higher the level of the lower liquid 124 in the chamber 118, the greater the angle φ must be able to contact the upper fluid with the back apex 116 a. Other factors, such as lens thickness, lens radius, and volume shaping, may also affect the effective angle φ.

Referring back to FIG. 11, the width (w), height (h), and depth (d) of the lens body 112 will depend upon several factors, including the sizes of the patient's physiological lens, anterior chamber, and posterior chamber. Generally, the width (w) and height (h) of the lens body 112 may be, for example, in a range of 2.5 mm to 10 mm, more commonly 4.0 mm to 7.5 mm. The width (w) and height (h) are preferably, but not necessarily, the same in dimension. The depth (d) or thickness of the lens body 112 should not be so great as to inhibit implantation into the eye 150. On the other hand, the depth is preferably not so small that the anterior and posterior walls 114 and 116 create significant frictional influence to inhibit fluid translation in the chamber 118 of the lens body 112. The depth (d) may be, for example, at least 0.9 mm.

The anterior visual zone 114 b and the posterior visual zone 116 b are typically centered concentrically with the front apex 114 a and the rear apex 116 a. Typically, and for the purposes of this invention, the anterior visual zone 114 b and the posterior visual zone 116 b in an average human eye are about 2 mm to 7 mm in diameter, depending upon the size of the pupil.

Although the intraocular lens of this first embodiment is illustrated in the posterior chamber 158 of the eye 150, it is to be understood that the lens 110 may be used in the anterior chamber 156, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The intraocular lens 110 in the anterior chamber 156 may be the sole lens in the eye, or may supplement a physiological or synthetic lens placed in the posterior chamber 158. An anterior chamber implantation may be located in front of the iris 154 or between the iris 154 and the front surface of the capsular bag 160. The anterior chamber implantation may be anchored to the iris or in the angle recess.

An intraocular lens (IOL) 210 according to a second embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As with the first embodiment, the intraocular lens 210 of the second embodiment comprises an optic body 212 receivable in the capsular bag of a human eye. The optic body 212 comprises an anterior wall 214, a posterior wall 216, and a chamber 218 enclosed between the anterior wall 214 and the posterior wall 216. An optical axis 220 of the optic body 212 intersects the anterior wall 214 at a front apex (i.e., vertex) 214 a and the posterior wall 216 at a rear apex (i.e., vertex) 216 a.

As in the case of the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the intraocular lens 210 is designed for placement in the posterior chamber or anterior chamber of a human eye. The optical axis 220 is situated in the optic body 212 for placement in the human eye along a light path, which passes through the pupil to the retina 270. An optically transmissive anterior visual zone 214 b of the anterior wall 214 defines a surface area through which the light path intersects the anterior wall 214. An optically transmissive posterior visual zone 216 b of the posterior defines a surface area through which the light path intersects the posterior wall 216.

FIG. 5 shows the intraocular lens 210 of the second embodiment of this invention positioned in the posterior chamber 258 of the eye gazing straight ahead at the pr. In this straight-ahead gaze, the optical axis 220 is parallel to the axis along the horizontal plane. The optically transmissive lower liquid 224 is present in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis 220 in a horizontal orientation positions the optical axis 220 through the upper fluid 222, and most of the anterior visual zone 214 b and the posterior visual zone 216 b are immersed in the upper fluid 222. Preferably, the upper fluid 222 is present in a sufficient amount that in the straight-ahead gaze at least 70 percent, and more preferably all, of the anterior and posterior visual zones 214 b and 216 b are immersed in the upper fluid 222. Thus, in straight-ahead gaze, light entering the IOL travels along the optical axis and is primarily refracted by the upper fluid 222. It is believed that any distortion caused by the presence of the fluid interface (i.e., plane of contact) 223 on the anterior or posterior visual zone 214 b or 216 b would be minor and appear as glare, to the extent it appears at all. The greater the portions of the visual zones 214 b and 216 b that are immersed in the upper fluid 222 in the straight-ahead gaze, the less the amount of glare or aberration, if any, that may occur.

The curvatures of the intraocular lens 210 are calculated to account for the refractive index of upper fluid 222 such that light travelling through the eye from the Punctum Remotum may be focused on the macula 272 of the eye. The anterior or posterior radii of curvature of the lens 210 may be selected depending upon the specific upper fluid 222 and lower liquid 224 chosen and the desired amount of accommodation. It is within the scope of the invention to form a lens which is capable of translating to any desired power for accommodation of eyesight, whether more (+) power or more (−) power upon down gaze.

On down gaze, the optical axis 220 rotates to an angle φ relative to the horizontal. As mentioned above, the down gaze generally involves displacement of the optical axis relative to the horizontal or z-axis by a range of effective angles φ to accomplish the objects of this invention. The effective angles φ may comprise a range of 70 to 90 degrees, more preferably 45 to 90 degrees, and in some cases over a range comprising 30 to 90 degrees.

In the down gaze, the optical axis 220 of this second embodiment is positioned at an angle φ relative to horizontal to translate the lower liquid 224 higher on the anterior wall 214 and lower on the posterior wall 216. The lower liquid 224 is present in the chamber 218 in a sufficient amount that, at the effective angles φ the optical axis 220 extends through the lower liquid 224 at the front apex 214 a and the upper fluid 222 at the back apex 216 a. Preferably, in the down gaze most of the surface area of the anterior visual zone 214 b is immersed in the lower liquid 224, and most of the surface area of the posterior visual zone 216 b is immersed in the upper fluid 222. More preferably, at the effective angles φ (e.g., 70-90 degrees, 45-90 degrees, or 30-90 degrees), the anterior visual zone 214 b has at least 70 percent of its surface area, and more preferably 100 percent of its surface area, immersed in the lower liquid 224. Simultaneously, at the effective angles φ the posterior visual zone 216 b preferably has at least 70 percent of its surface area, and more preferably 100 percent of its surface area, immersed in the upper fluid 222. Under these conditions, the light rays first must travel through the lower liquid 224 bathing the anterior visual zone 214 b before traveling through the contact interface 223 and the upper fluid 222 bathing the posterior visual zone 216 b, before reaching the retina. Because the upper fluid 222 and the lower liquid 224 differ in refractive indices, light traveling through one medium will be refracted more than light traveling through the other medium.

The range of effective angles φ necessary for displacing the lower fluid 222 to contact the front apex 214 a is dependent upon the relative amounts of the upper fluid 222 and lower liquid 224 in the chamber 218. For this second embodiment in which the optical axis 220 passes through the upper fluid 222 in the straight ahead gaze (FIG. 5), lower levels of the lower liquid 224 generally will require greater effective angles φ for contacting the lower liquid 224 with the front apex 214 a. Preferably, however, a sufficient amount of the lower liquid 224 is present in this second embodiment that the bi-focal effect is realized throughout at least a range of effective angles of 70-90 degrees.

One particularly advantageous feature embodied in certain aspects of this invention is that orientation of the optical axis perpendicular to the horizon, so that the patient's head is directed straight downward, causes the optical axis to pass through both the upper fluid and the lower liquid, thereby accommodating for near-sight. This feature is especially useful for reading.

Although the intraocular lens of this second embodiment is illustrated in the posterior chamber 258 of the eye, it is to be understood that the lens 210 may be used in the anterior chamber 256, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The intraocular lens in the anterior chamber may be the sole lens in the eye, or may supplement a physiological or synthetic lens placed in the posterior chamber 258. The intraocular lens may be placed in front of the iris, or between the iris and the capsular bag.

An example of a modification suitable for the first and second embodiments and falling within the scope of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16. In the interest of brevity and for the purpose of elaborating upon the structure, functions, and benefits of this modification, the description of the first and second embodiments is incorporated herein and not repeated in its entirety. In accordance with this modification, an intraocular lens 310 further comprises at least one supplemental internal lens element 390. The internal lens element 390 may be comprised of, for example, a flexible or rigid material, and may optionally include an internal chamber for holding a liquid or gas. The internal lens element 390 is retained, preferably in a fixed position, inside the intraocular lens body 312. By way of example and not necessarily limitation, webs or filaments may be used for suspending the internal lens element 390 in the fixed position. A first gap 392 is provided between the anterior surface 396 of the internal lens element 390 and the anterior wall 314. A second gap 394 is provided between the posterior surface 398 and the posterior wall 316. Upper fluid 322 and lower liquid 324 are allowed to flow through the gaps 392 and 394.

As shown in FIG. 15, the optically transmissive lower liquid 324 is present in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis 320 horizontally positions the optical axis 320 through the lower liquid 324. Most of the anterior visual zone and the posterior visual zone are immersed in the lower liquid 324. The optical axis 320 also passes through the internal lens element 390 in this modified embodiment. The contact interface 323 between the lower liquid 324 and the upper fluid 322 is above the optical axis 320, and preferably above the top edge of the internal lens element 390.

On the down gaze, the optical axis 320 of this modified embodiment is positioned at an angle relative to horizontal to translate the lower liquid 324 higher on the anterior wall 314 and lower on the posterior wall 316. The upper fluid 322 is present in the chamber 318 in a sufficient amount that, at any effective angle φ within a range, the upper fluid 322 translates down the posterior wall 316 until the optical axis 320 extends through the upper fluid 322 at the back apex 216 a. Preferably, at the range of effective angles, most of the surface area of the anterior visual zone is immersed in the lower liquid 324, and most of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone is immersed in the upper fluid 322. Under these conditions, the light rays first must travel through the lower liquid 324 before traveling through the upper fluid 322. However, in this modified embodiment the optical axis does not pass through the contact interface 323 of the upper fluid 322 and the lower liquid 324. Rather, the light passes through the internal lens element 390, thereby eliminating or substantially eliminating the contact interface 323 from the visual field. As a consequence, to the extent that a meniscus at the contact interface 123 and 223 of the first and second embodiments may contribute to glare or aberration, if any, the internal lens element 390 eliminates or substantially reduces the glare or aberration.

Methods of making optic bodies are well known in the intraocular lens art and are described throughout the literature. These methods, which are suitable for use with the various aspects of the present invention, include, not necessarily by limitation, molding and lathing, with injection molding being perhaps the most commonly employed and well known of these methods. The formation of a molded body with an internal chamber is well known in the injection molding and lathing arts. Methods of gel-capsule manufacture as applied in the pharmaceutical industry may also be applied, as these methods describe introduction of fluids into capsules without leaving vacuum or air space within the capsule. As mentioned above, the anterior and posterior walls may be made as a unitary piece, or separately then joined together, such as by adhesive, fusion, or the like.

The optic body and optional internal lens element 390 preferably comprise a material or materials biologically compatible with the human eye, and capable of injection molding, lathing, or the like. In particular, the materials are preferably non-toxic, non-hemolytic, and non-irritant. The optic body preferably is made of a material that will undergo little or no degradation in optical performance over its period of use. Unlike a contact lens, however, the material does not have to be gas permeable, although it may be. For example, the optic body may be constructed of rigid biocompatible materials, such as, for example, polymethylmethacrylate, or flexible, deformable materials, such as silicones, deformable acrylic polymeric materials, hydrogels and the like which enable the lens body to be rolled, deformed, or folded for insertion through a small incision into the eye. The above list is merely representative, not exhaustive, of the possible materials that may be used in this invention. For example, collagen or collagen-like materials, e.g., collagen polymerized with a monomer or monomers, may be used to form the optic body. However, it is preferred to make the lens body of a material or materials, e.g., elastic, adapted for folding or deformation to facilitate insertion of the intraocular lens into the eye.

The lens surface may be modified with heparin or any other type of surface modification designed to increase biocompatibility and decrease possibility of capsular haze occurring.

The intraocular lens of this invention may include haptics, which are generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the haptics are designated by reference numeral 190. Haptics generally serve to anchor the optics body in place in the eye. Haptics are usually attached directly to the lens body. Various types of haptics are well known in the art, and their incorporation into this invention would be within the purview of an ordinary artisan having reference to this disclosure. Generally, the typical haptic is a flexible strand of nonbiodegradable material fixed to the lens body. By way of example, suitable haptics for this invention may be made of one or more materials known in the art, including polypropylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and any biocompatible plastic or material in use now or in the future that are used to hold the lens in place. The haptics used with invention may possess any shape or construction adapted or adaptable for use with this invention for securing the lens body in place in the eye. In the posterior chamber, the haptics secure the optical lens within the capsular bag, whereas in the anterior chamber haptics may extend into the area defined between the anterior iris and posterior cornea. For anterior chamber intraocular lenses, it is also within the scope of this invention to use an “iris claw”, which hooks onto the fibers of the iris.

The upper fluid and the lower liquid may be introduced and retained in the body chamber prior to implanting the IOL into a human eye. The upper and lower fluids may be introduced into the chamber by any technique consistent with the objects of this invention. For example, a syringe of the like may be used for injecting the upper fluid and lower liquid into the chamber. Optionally, an entry port may be provided in the optic body for introducing the upper fluid and lower liquid into the chamber of the optic body. The entry port may be formed during injection molding, by penetrating through one or both of the walls with a suitable hole-making instrument, such as a drill or pin, or it may established by the injecting instrument, e.g., syringe, during introduction of the fluids. The location of the entry port is not critical, i.e., the entry port may be in the anterior wall, posterior wall, or the interface between the walls. Other techniques may also be used to form the optic body.

It is within the scope of the method of this invention to provide the optic body with a vent port for expelling gas (usually air) inside the optic body chamber as the upper fluid and lower liquid are introduced through the entry port. The vent may be separate from the entry port, or may consist of the entry port such that gas entrapped in the chamber is expelled through the entry port as the upper and lower fluids are introduced into the chamber. Alternatively, the chamber may be evacuated prior to the introduction of the upper fluid and the lower liquid. Subsequent to introducing the upper fluid and lower liquid into the chamber, the entry port and optional vent may be sealed to enclose the chamber in a known manner, such as by fusion or plugging with a compatible material, which may be the same or different than the material from which the optical body is comprised.

It is within the scope of this invention, however, the insert the IOL body into the human eye, then to subsequently inject a portion or all of the upper fluid and the lower liquid into the implanted IOL body in situ. The benefit to this latter variation is that an IOL body that is not filled with fluids/liquids is more amenable to folding and deformation.

Both upper fluid and the lower liquid are preferably optically transmissive, and it is a preferred embodiment that when emulsified by shaking or position change minimal mixing of the upper fluid and the lower liquid occurs, and whatever mixing does occur quickly separates out again. The substantially immiscible upper fluid and lower liquids are preferably optically transparent. It is within the scope of the invention for one or more of the optically transmissive fluids to possess a tint of any color that is not dense enough to significantly impede the transmission of light or the intended objects of this invention. Although the upper fluid is preferably a liquid, it is within the scope of this invention for the upper fluid to be in the form of a gas or vacuum.

This invention is not limited to the use of only two fluids/liquids in the intraocular lens. Three or more fluids of different refractive indexes can be used to create a multi-power, multifocus lens so that objects between far (pr) and near (pp) can be focused upon more clearly. Tri-focals of this invention preferably have three liquids of different densities, with the refractive index of the fluids decreasing with fluid density.

Fluids that may be used for in the lens body include, but are not limited to, those common to ophthalmic surgery, such as the following: water, aqueous humor, hyaluron, viscoelastics, polydimethyl siloxane, bis-phenyl propyl dimethicone, phenyl tri-methicone, di-phenyl-di-methyl siloxane copolymer (vinyl-terminated), cyclopentasiloxane, phenyl trimethicone, polydimethyl methyl phenyl siloxane, polymethyl phenyl siloxane, liquid chitosan, heparin, perfluoro-n-octane (perfluoron), perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene, perfluoromethyldecalin, perfluoropentane, perfluoro-1,3-dimethyl cyclohexane, perfluorodecalin, perfluoroperhydro-p-fluorene and glycerine. It is preferable, but not necessary, that one of the fluids used in the intraocular lens of this invention is water, such as distilled water, to save cost and hazards of broken or ruptured intraocular lenses in vivo.

Many other fluorocarbon liquids may be selected for use as the lower liquid, the upper fluid, or the lower liquid and upper fluid. Representative fluorocarbon fluids that may be used for providing the desired refractive properties of this invention include haloalkanes. Representative haloalkanes that may be useful include trichloromonofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, monochlorotrifluoromethane, bromotrifluoromethane, dichloromonofluoromethane, monochlorodifluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane. Other fluorocarbons include 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, octofluoropentanol-1, dodecafluoroheptanol-1. Other liquids include methanol, acetonitrile, ethyl ether, acetone, ethanol, methyl acetate, propionitrile, 2,2 dimethyl butane, isopropyl ether, 2-methyl pentane, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, D-mannitol, and D-sorbitol.

Many polymethyl/silicon liquid species can be used, including, by way of example, the following: tetrachlorophenylsilsesquixane-dimethyl siloxane copolymer, poly(methylsilsesquioxane, 100% methyl), poly(methylhydridosilsesquioxane, 90%), poly(phenylsilsesquioxane), 100% phenyl, poly(phenyl-methylsilsesquioxane 90% phenyl 10% methyl), dimethicone copolyol PPG-3 oleyl ether (aka alkyl polyether), hydroxymethyl acetomonium PG dimethicone (aka betaine), amino propyl dimethicone (aka amine).

It is within the scope of this invention to select two or more different liquids or fluids as the upper fluid, and to select two or more different liquids as the lower liquid. Dilution of miscible liquids of different indices of refraction may be effective for tailoring the refractive index of the upper fluid or lower liquid phase. Additionally, the dilution of salts, sugars, etc. into the liquids may modify the refractive index. Examples of aqueous salts include sodium chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium nitrate (referred to herein as “NaN”). Generally, the concentration of the salts and sugars should be no higher than their saturation points.

These represent chemicals that may be safe within the eye. Other chemicals that are not safe, i.e., biologically compatible with the eye, are less desirable but can have the same visual outcome if maintained within the optical cavity and not exposed to the ocular media within the eye.

As described in connection with the first embodiment above, the intraocular lens can be inserted into the posterior chamber of the human eye, preferably into the capsular bag posterior to the iris to replace the physiological (natural) lens in the capsular bag positioned using known equipment and techniques. Posterior implantation is preferred because, among other reasons, this is the location from which the physiological lens is removed. By way of example, intra-capsular cataract extraction and IOL implantation utilizing clear corneal incision (CCI), phacoemulsification or similar technique may be used to insert the intraocular lens after the physiological crystalline lens has been removed from the capsular bag. The incision into the eye may be made by diamond blade, a metal blade, a light source, such as a laser, or other suitable instrument. The incision may be made at any appropriate position, including along the cornea or sclera. It is possible to make the incision “on axis”, as may be desired in the case of astigmatism. Benefits to making the incision under the upper lid include reduction in the amount of stitching, cosmetic appeal, and reduced recovery time for wound healing. The intraocular lens is preferably rolled or folded prior to insertion into the eye, and may be inserted through a small incision, such as on the order of about 3 mm. It is to be understood that as referred to in the context of this invention, the term “capsular bag” includes a capsular bag having its front surface open, torn, partially removed, or completely removed due to surgical procedure, e.g., for removing the physiological lens, or other reasons. For example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 the capsular bag 160 has an elastic posterior capsule, and an anterior capsular remnant or rim defining an opening through which the physiological lens was removed.

Alternatively, the intraocular lens may be inserted in the anterior chamber between the cornea and the iris. In an anterior chamber implant, the intraocular lens is generally situated forward of, or mounted to, the iris.

When light rays pass between non-opaque media, there is a mathematical description of how light is bent, or refracted. This is termed Snell's Law and is based on the Index of Refraction (IR) of the medium. Different non-opaque media have their own specific index of refraction, and mixed media take on their own individual index of refraction. If two media are placed in contact with one another but do not mix, light will be refracted as it travels from the first medium into the second medium. If a third medium is provided, the light will be refracted again as it passes between the second and third media.

Another aspect of this invention comprises the treatment of one or more residual refractive disorders of the eye after the eye has received an element that allows it to focus, e.g., an intraocular lens, a scleral expansion device, or other element that is designed to substitute for or increase the function of the human accomodative system. Treatment of residual refractive disorder after implantation with IOL or other implement that allows for restoration of focus may be achieved by mechanically or chemically altering a structure of the eye, such as the cornea. Representative treatment techniques include, but are not necessarily limited to, light or laser refractive surgery of the cornea (including PRK [photo-refractive keratectomy], LASIK [laser intra-stromal keratectomy], LASEK [laser epithelial keratectomy]) performed with excimer lasers, YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) lasers or other ablative lasers of single frequency or frequency modulation including but not limited to frequency doubling or tripling, thermal keratoplasty, conductive keratoplasty including radio waves, corneal ring segments. Each of these techniques on a human eye having a natural lens is well known and the art and described in various literature documents too numerous to list. One example of a literature document describing techniques for shaping the cornea is U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,058. Application of these techniques on a human eye containing a corrective element, such as an intraocular lens, may be performed by those of ordinary skill in the refractive correction arts without undue experimentation.

EXAMPLES

All examples were modeled on the Zemax Version 10.0 optical design program, SE edition, from Focus Software, Inc.

The human eye was first modeled as a typical or schematic adult human emmetrope, as described in the Optical Society of America Handbook. Each of the models described below is for a posterior chamber IOL design. The following assumptions were made for the human eye for the purposes of the calculations. The model was assumed to have spherical surfaces only (whereas the real cornea and lens are actually aspherics). Each structure of the schematic human eye was assumed to be made of a material having a uniform or homogenous index (whereas in the real human eye, the index of refraction may vary somewhat through each structure of the eye). The model also assumed that the capsular bag walls were very thin and parallel, i.e., non-existent. The lens was assumed to have symmetric radius, i.e., spherical. The pr was assumed to be 10 meters. Three wavelengths with equal weighting were used for optimization and evaluation: 510 nm, 560 nm, and 610 nm to provide a simple approximation of the human photopic response. Walker, Bruce H., Optical Design for visual Systems, SPIE Press (2000). The Abbe wavelength dispersion is assumed to be 55.0 for all natural materials. The indices at other wavelengths were calculated based on n_(D) and the dispersion value. Modeling was performed for small pupil sizes of 1.5 mm. The initial values assumed for the eye are listed below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Thickness Refr. Index Surface Radius (mm) (mm) (@ 589 nm) Material Anterior 7.80 0.55 1.3771 Cornea Cornea Posterior 6.50 3.05 1.3374 Aqueous Cornea Humor Anterior Lens 10.20 4.00 1.4200 Natural lens 20.83* Posterior −6.00 16.6 1.3360 Vitreous Lens −4.26* 16.80* Humor Retina −12.67* *italics indicates values optimized through Zemax program, under assumed conditions as listed.

The above assumptions and conditions were maintained for the IOL designs, with the natural lens replaced by the IOL. The overall length of the eye models was kept constant. The IOL thickness was allowed to adjust during optimization, but not to exceed 4.0 mm.

According to one set of preferred IOL designs illustrated in FIG. 12, the lower liquid is the primary liquid and has a lesser refractive than the upper liquid. Accordingly, in this preferred embodiment the upper liquid has a greater refractive index and imparts accommodative power (+power) on down gaze by increasing the effective power of the posterior IOL surface. Models were made for the combinations of fluids in Table 2. The index of refraction value were either taken as reported in the literature at 37° C. (body temperature) in a saturated solution, or were estimated based on calculations using three (3) wavelengths (of 510 nm, 560 nm, and 610 nm).

TABLE 2 Lower Upper Thick- Label Liquid Liquid n_(D)1** n_(D)2** R1*** R2*** ness**** S9 Aq-NaN PDMS- 1.38543 1.39908 −43.750 −2.52 2.12 (37° C.) S8 Aq-NaCl PDMS 1.37794 1.39908 6.081 −3.65 2.32 (37° C.) S12 Aq-CaCl Mineral 1.44287 1.46408 −14.770 −3.98 1.62 Oil S10 Aq-KCl PDMS- 1.36035 1.39908 1.875 −6.82 1.58 (37° C.) S11 Aq-ZnCl Mineral 1.40229 1.46408 5.837 −9.00 3.54 Oil S7 Aq-NaCl Mineral 1.37789 1.46408 3.029 −14.00 2.30 Oil **n_(D)1 and n_(D)2 are refractive index of lower liquid and the upper liquid, respectively, at or about its saturation limit at 589 nm wavelength. ***R1 and R2 are the radius of curvature of the anterior surface and the posterior surface, respectively, in millimeters. ****Lens thickness was measured in millimeters.

The shapes of the anterior and posterior walls were calculated for hypothetical cases by modifying the adult human emmetrope model to simulate an IOL. The crystalline lens material was replaced with the lower fluid to simulate horizontal pr gaze (at 10 m), and the pp (250 mm) was modeled in a directly vertical 90° downward gaze angle using two liquids with the interface perpendicular to the optical axis. The posterior radius of the lens was selected to obtain the needed change of power with the upper liquid introduced to accommodate for pp (at about 250 mm). Other assumptions listed above for the model eye were also made. Gaze angles of less than 90° were then evaluated without re-optimizing the model parameters. Specifically, gaze angles of 50° and 70° were investigated. The 90°, 70°, and 50° gaze angles were each evaluated at the following five field points of 0°, ±7.5°, and ±15°. The root mean square (RMS) of each spot radius value was then recorded. Reported below are the averages of the five field values, and the RMS for the on-axis (0°) field point. All RMS values are in microns.

TABLE 3 RMS Spot: Average of 5 Fields RMS Spot: On-Axis Value Label 90° 70° 50° 90° 70° 50° S9 4.81 5.14 7.26 3.87 4.47 6.97 S8 4.78 4.89 7.93 3.21 4.00 8.16 S12 4.03 4.03 5.94 2.88 3.11 5.31 S10 9.28 9.45 15.59 5.16 6.84 15.71 S11 5.41 6.164 17.95 3.45 5.86 18.99 S7 7.29 8.79 26.29 4.53 8.37 27.67

Smaller RMS values generally indicate less aberration and better focus on the retina. Generally, values less than 7.00 microns are preferred for the assumed conditions.

The IOL schematics are laid out as though plotted on a chart, with the actual fluid's refractive index along the horizontal axis (abscissa) and the difference in the index values of the two fluids on the vertical aids (ordinate). Internal to the lens schematics, the fluids are labeled with the following symbols:

+ a liquid having an index of refraction greater than the humors in which the IOL is immersed when implanted;

++ a liquid having an index of refraction greater than the humors and the adjacent “+” liquid;

− a liquid having an index of refraction lower than the humors;

−− a liquid having an index of refraction lower than the humors and the adjacent “−” liquid.

The cornea (not shown) is to the left of the IOL schematics, and the iris is shown immediately to the left of the IOL schematics. The surface that produces the optical power change (pr to pp adaption) is shown with a double line.

As shown in FIG. 12, the IOL schematics for this embodiment preferably had concave/concave, convex/concave walls, or flat/concave walls. Fluid combinations S9 and S10 were less preferred due to the steep curvatures of R1 (anterior surface) or R2 (posterior surface).

According to another set of preferred IOL designs illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper liquid is the primary liquid and has a greater refractive index than the lower liquid. Hence, the lower liquid imparts accommodative power (+power) on down gaze by increasing the effective power of the lens. Models were made for the following combinations of fluids:

TABLE 4 Lower Upper Label Liquid Liquid n_(D)1 n_(D)2 R1 R2 S9′ PDMS- Aq-NaN 1.39908 1.38543 −2.90 −1.703 (37° C.) S8′ PDMS Aq-NaCl 1.39908 1.37794 −4.40 −2.032 (37° C.) S12′ Mineral Aq-CaCl 1.46408 1.44287 −4.45 −2.770 Oil S10′ PDMS- Aq-KCl 1.39908 1.36035 −8.10 −2.458 (37° C.) S11′ Mineral Aq-ZnCl 1.46408 1.40229 −12.95 −4.296 Oil S13′ Mineral Aq-NaN 1.46408 1.38543 −16.50 −4.564 Oil S7′ Mineral Aq-NaCl 1.46408 1.37789 −18.17 −4.661 Oil S5′ PDMS Water 1.39908 1.33100 −14.35 −2.760 (37° C.) (37° C.) S6′ Mineral Water 1.46408 1.33100 −28.40 −5.032 oil (37° C.)

The shapes of the anterior and posterior walls were calculated for hypothetical cases by modifying the adult human emmetrope model to simulate an IOL. The crystalline lens material was replaced with the upper fluid to simulate horizontal pr gaze (at 10 m), and the pp (at about 250 mm) was modeled in a directly vertical 90° downward gaze angle using two fluids with the interface perpendicular to the optical axis. The anterior radius of the lens was selected to obtain the needed change of power with the lower liquid introduced to accommodate for pp. Again, assumptions made above for the model eye were applied, as needed. Gaze angles of less than 90° were then evaluated without re-optimizing the model parameters.

TABLE 5 RMS Spot: Average of 5 Fields RMS Spot: On-Axis Value Label 90° 70° 50° 90° 70° 50° S8′ 7.06 7.17 8.61 6.23 6.38 7.77 S12′ 5.88 5.91 6.55 4.56 4.69 5.55 S10′ 5.24 5.54 10.67 4.23 4.82 10.20 S11′ 4.03 4.73 13.33 2.73 3.92 12.78 S13′ 3.94 5.18 17.23 2.58 4.40 16.47 S7′ 3.97 5.59 13.60 2.63 4.87 18.25 S5′ 4.66 5.80 17.64 3.54 5.26 17.10 S6′ 4.11 8.39 31.63 2.68 7.74 30.06

As shown in FIG. 13, the IOL schematics for these examples preferably had concave/concave walls, with the anterior surface concavity more pronounced than in FIG. 12. Fluid combinations S5′, S8′, S9′, S10′, and S12′ were less preferred due to the small sizes of the IOL R1 and/or R2.

According to another set of preferred IOL designs illustrated in FIG. 14, the upper liquid is the primary liquid and has a smaller refractive index than the lower liquid. Models were made for the combinations of fluids set forth in Table 6, with the corresponding results reported in Table 7:

TABLE 6 Lower Upper Label Liquid Liquid nD1 nD2 R1 R2 T14′ PDMS- Aq-CaCl 1.39908 1.44287 9.19 −4.750 (37° C.) T15′ PDMS Glycerol 1.39908 1.47238 15.30 −4.022 (37° C.)

TABLE 7 RMS Spot: Average of 5 Fields RMS Spot: On-Axis Value Label 90° 70° 50° 90° 70° 50° T14′ 5.14 7.31 19.56 3.34 4.43 14.81 T15′ 4.65 8.29 28.38 3.04 5.24 23.17

Convex/concave wall structures were preferred for these examples.

It was observed from modeling that the tilt of the fluid interface (downward gazes not equal to 90°) may cause astigmatism and chromatic aberrations, which can be minimized by decreasing the differential value between the fluid indices. However, too small an index differential may require compensation vis-à-vis reduction to the radii of curvature. Reduction in radii of curvature may produce IOLS have diameters that are too small and increased spherical aberration and coma. Thus, a fundamental tradeoff exists between the normal aberrations (no tilt of the fluids) and the performance as the gaze departs from directly downward.

The lens schematics illustrated in the accompanying drawings are intended to show general trends, and are not intended or shown as precise designs. The illustrated schematics are also not intended to be exhaustive of the scope of possible IOL body designs within the scope of this invention.

The foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention cover various modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. An intraocular lens for a human eye, the intraocular lens comprising: an optic body sized and configured to be received in the human eye, the optic body comprising an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, and a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, the optic body having an optical axis intersecting the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center; an optically transmissive primary fluid having a first density and a first refractive index, the primary fluid being contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the primary fluid and immerses the anterior and posterior optical centers in the primary fluid; and an optically transmissive secondary fluid substantially immiscible with the primary fluid and having a second density and a second refractive index that are different than the first density and the first refractive index, the secondary fluid contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis for near vision at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid and the secondary fluid, said range of effective downward angles comprising at least an angle of 90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation at which the optical axis extends through the primary fluid, the secondary fluid, and a fluid interface where the primary and secondary fluids contact one another.
 2. An intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the primary fluid and the secondary fluid comprise a first liquid and a second liquid, respectively.
 3. An intraocular lens according to claim 2, wherein orienting the optical axis for near vision throughout a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the contact interface.
 4. An intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is enclosed between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, and wherein the chamber is free of internal solid structures.
 5. An intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is enclosed by a structure consisting of the anterior wall and the posterior wall, and wherein the chamber is free of internal solid structures.
 6. An intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the first density is greater than the second density, and wherein orienting the optical axis at the range of effective downward angles translates the primary fluid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid at the anterior optical center and the secondary fluid at the posterior optical center.
 7. An intraocular lens according to claim 6, wherein the primary fluid and the secondary fluid comprise a first liquid and a second liquid, respectively.
 8. An intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the second density is greater than the first density, and wherein orienting the optical axis at the range of effective downward angles translates the secondary fluid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the secondary fluid at the anterior optical center and the primary fluid at the posterior optical center.
 9. An intraocular lens according to claim 8, wherein the primary fluid and the secondary fluid comprise a first liquid and a second liquid, respectively.
 10. An intraocular lens for a human eye, the human eye comprising a cornea, an iris which is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, and a retina posterior to the iris for transmitting incoming light along a light path that enters the human eye through the cornea, passes through the pupil and is transmitted to the retina, the intraocular lens comprising: an optic body receivable in the human eye, the optic body comprising an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, and a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, the optic body having an optical axis intersecting the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center, the optical axis situated through the optic body for placement in the human eye for intersecting the light path with both the anterior wall at an optically transmissive anterior visual zone having an anterior surface area and the posterior wall at an optically transmissive posterior visual zone having a posterior surface area; an optically transmissive lower liquid having a first density and a first refractive index, the lower liquid being contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the lower liquid for immersing most of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone and most of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the lower liquid; and an optically transmissive upper fluid substantially immiscible with the lower liquid and having a second density that is less than the first density and a second refractive index that is different than the first refractive index of the lower liquid, the upper fluid being contained in the chamber of the optic body above the lower liquid in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis for near vision at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation translates the lower liquid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the lower liquid at the anterior optical center and the upper fluid at the posterior optical center for immersing most of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone with the lower liquid and most of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid, said range of effective downward angles comprising at least an angle of 90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation at which the optical axis extends through the lower fluid, the upper fluid, and a fluid interface where the lower and upper fluids contact one another.
 11. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the chamber is enclosed between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, and wherein the chamber is free of internal solid structures.
 12. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the chamber is enclosed by a structure consisting of the anterior and posterior walls, and wherein the chamber is free of internal solid structures.
 13. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the upper fluid comprises an upper liquid, and wherein the second refractive index of the upper liquid is greater than the first refractive index of the lower liquid.
 14. An intraocular lens according to claim 13, wherein orienting the optical axis for near vision throughout a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the fluid interface.
 15. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the upper fluid comprises an upper liquid, and wherein the second refractive index of the upper liquid is less than the first refractive index of the lower liquid.
 16. An intraocular lens according to claim 15, wherein orienting the optical axis for near vision throughout a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the fluid interface.
 17. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein orienting the optical axis in the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis through enough of the lower liquid for immersing at least 70 percent of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone and at least 70 percent of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the lower liquid.
 18. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein orienting the optical axis in the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis through enough of the lower liquid for immersing all of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone and all of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the lower liquid.
 19. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the upper fluid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that the optical axis extends through the lower fluid, the upper fluid, and the fluid interface at all angles throughout a near vision range of at least 70-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation.
 20. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the upper fluid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that the optical axis extends through the lower fluid, the upper fluid, and the fluid interface at all angles throughout a range of at least 45-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation.
 21. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the upper fluid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that the optical axis extends through the lower fluid, the upper fluid, and the fluid interface at all angles throughout a range of at least 30-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation.
 22. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the upper fluid and the lower liquid are contained in the chamber of the optic body in sufficient amounts that orienting the optical axis at all angles throughout a range of effective downward angles of 70-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation immerses at least 70 percent of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone in the lower liquid and at least 70 percent of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid.
 23. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the upper fluid and the lower liquid are contained in the chamber of the optic body in sufficient amounts that orienting the optical axis at all angles throughout a range of effective downward angles of 70-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation immerses all of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone in the lower liquid and all of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid.
 24. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the optic body is elastically deformable.
 25. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, further comprising haptics.
 26. An intraocular lens according to claim 10, wherein the optic body has a front vertex coincident with the anterior optical center and a rear vertex coincident with the posterior optical center.
 27. A method of implanting the intraocular lens of claim 10 into a human eye comprising a cornea, sclera, conjunctiva coating the sclera, an iris which is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, a capsular bag posterior to the pupil, and a retina posterior to the iris for transmitting incoming light along a light path that enters the human eye through the cornea, passes through the pupil and the capsular bag is transmitted to the retina, the method comprising: creating an incision in at least one of the cornea, sclera, and conjunctiva and inserting and securing the intraocular lens in the capsular bag.
 28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising removing a disposable lens from the capsular bag prior to said inserting of the intraocular lens into the capsular bag.
 29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the disposable lens comprises a physiological lens.
 30. A method of implanting the intraocular lens of claim 10 into a human eye comprising a cornea, sclera, conjunctiva coating the sclera, an iris which is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, an anterior chamber positioned between the cornea and a location at which a physiological lens is situated, and a retina posterior to the iris for transmitting incoming light along a light path that enters the human eye through the cornea, passes through the pupil is transmitted to the retina, the method comprising: creating an incision in at least one of the cornea, sclera, and conjunctiva, and inserting and securing the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber.
 31. An intraocular lens for a human eye comprising a cornea, an iris which is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, and a retina posterior to the iris for transmitting incoming light along a light path that enters the human eye through the cornea, passes through the pupil and is transmitted to the retina, the intraocular lens comprising: an optic body receivable in the human eye, the optic body comprising an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, and a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, the optic body having an optical axis intersecting the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center, the optical axis situated through the optic body for placement in the human eye for intersecting the light path with both the anterior wall at an optically transmissive anterior visual zone having an anterior surface area and the posterior wall at an optically transmissive posterior visual zone having a posterior surface area; an optically transmissive upper fluid having a first density and a first refractive index, the upper fluid being contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the upper fluid for immersing most of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone and most of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid; and an optically transmissive lower liquid substantially immiscible with the upper fluid and having a second density that is greater than the first density and a second refractive index that is different than the first refractive index, the lower liquid being contained in the chamber of the optic body below the upper fluid in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation for near vision translates the lower liquid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the lower liquid at the anterior optical center and the upper fluid at the posterior optical center for immersing most of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone with the lower liquid and most of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid, said range of effective downward angles comprising at least an angle of 90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation at which the optical axis extends through the upper fluid, the lower fluid, and a fluid interface where the upper and lower fluids contact one another.
 32. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the chamber is enclosed between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, and wherein the chamber is free of internal solid structures.
 33. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the chamber is enclosed by a structure consisting of the anterior and posterior walls, and wherein the chamber is free of internal solid structures.
 34. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the upper fluid comprises at least one upper liquid, and wherein the first refractive index of the upper fluid is less than the second refractive index of the lower liquid.
 35. An intraocular lens according to claim 34, wherein orienting the optical axis for near vision throughout a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the fluid interface.
 36. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the upper fluid comprises at least one upper liquid, and wherein the first refractive index of the upper fluid is more than the second refractive index of the lower liquid.
 37. An intraocular lens according to claim 36, wherein orienting the optical axis for near vision at throughout a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the fluid interface.
 38. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein orienting the optical axis in the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis through enough of the upper fluid for immersing at least 70 percent of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone and at least 70 percent of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid.
 39. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein orienting the optical axis in the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis through enough of the upper fluid for immersing all of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone and all of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid.
 40. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the lower liquid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that the optical axis extends through the lower fluid, the upper fluid, and the fluid interface at all angles throughout a range of at least 70-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation.
 41. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the lower liquid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that the optical axis extends through the lower fluid, the upper fluid, and the fluid interface at all angles throughout a range of at least 45-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation.
 42. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the lower liquid is contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that the optical axis extends through the lower fluid, the upper fluid, and the fluid interface at all angles throughout a range of at least 30-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation.
 43. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the upper fluid and the lower liquid are contained in the chamber of the optic body in sufficient amounts that orienting the optical axis at all angles throughout a range of effective downward angles of 70-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation immerses at least 70 percent of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone in the lower liquid and at least 70 percent of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid.
 44. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the upper fluid and the lower liquid are contained in the chamber of the optic body in sufficient amounts that orienting the optical axis at all angles throughout a range of effective downward angles of 70-90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation immerses all of the anterior surface area of the anterior visual zone in the lower liquid and all of the posterior surface area of the posterior visual zone in the upper fluid.
 45. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the optic body is elastically deformable.
 46. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, further comprising haptics.
 47. An intraocular lens according to claim 31, wherein the optic body has a front apex coincident with the anterior optical center and a rear apex coincident with the posterior optical center.
 48. A method of implanting the intraocular lens of claim 31 into a human eye comprising a cornea, a sclera, conjunctiva coating the sclera, an iris which is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, a capsular bag posterior to the pupil, and a retina posterior to the iris for transmitting incoming light along a light path that enters the human eye through the cornea, passes through the pupil and the capsular bag is transmitted to the retina, the method comprising: creating an incision in at least one of the cornea, sclera, and conjunctiva; and inserting and securing the intraocular lens in the capsular bag.
 49. A method according to claim 48, further comprising removing a disposable lens from the capsular bag prior to said inserting of the intraocular lens into the capsular bag.
 50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the disposable lens comprises a physiological lens.
 51. A method of implanting the intraocular lens of claim 31 into a human eye comprising a cornea, a sclera, conjunctiva coating the sclera, an iris which is posterior to the cornea and has a pupil, an anterior chamber positioned between the cornea and a location at which a physiological lens is situated, and a retina posterior to the iris for transmitting incoming light along a light path that enters the human eye through the anterior cornea, passes through the pupil is transmitted to the retina, the method comprising: creating an incision in at least one of the cornea, sclera, and conjunctiva; and inserting and securing the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber.
 52. A method for altering focus through an intraocular lens implanted in a human eye or a user, the intraocular lens comprising an optic body received in the human eye, the optic body comprising an anterior wall, a posterior wall, and a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, optically transmissive primary and secondary liquids contained in the chamber, the primary liquid having a different density and refractive index than the second liquid, said method comprising: orienting the human eye in a generally straight ahead gaze for far vision to pass the visual axis through the primary liquid, but not the secondary liquid, for focusing on a distant point; and moving the human eye into a downward gaze at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal position for focusing on a near point in closer proximity to the human eye than the distant point, said range of effective downward angles comprising at least an angle of 90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation at which the optical axis extends through the primary fluid, the secondary fluid, and a fluid interface where the primary and secondary fluids contact one another.
 53. A method according to claim 52, wherein the primary liquid has a greater density than the secondary liquid.
 54. A method according to claim 52, wherein the secondary liquid has a greater density than the primary liquid.
 55. A method for making an intraocular lens for a human eye, the method comprising: forming an optic body sized and configured to be received in the human eye, the optic body comprising an anterior wall with an anterior optical center, a posterior wall with a posterior optical center, a chamber between the anterior wall and the posterior wall, and an entry port communicating with the chamber, the optic body having an optical axis intersecting the anterior wall at the anterior optical center and the posterior wall at the posterior optical center; introducing an optically transmissive primary fluid into the chamber of the optic body, the primary fluid having a first density and a first refractive index, the primary fluid being contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis in a horizontal orientation for far vision positions the optical axis through the primary fluid and immerses the anterior and posterior optical centers in the primary fluid; and introducing an optically transmissive secondary fluid substantially immiscible with the primary fluid into the chamber of the optic body, the second fluid having a second density and a second refractive index that are different than the first density and the first refractive index, the secondary fluid contained in the chamber of the optic body in a sufficient amount that orienting the optical axis for near vision at a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the primary fluid and the secondary fluid, said range of effective downward angles comprising at least an angle of 90 degrees relative to the horizontal orientation at which the optical axis extends through the primary fluid, the secondary fluid, and a fluid interface where the primary and secondary fluids contact one another.
 56. A method according to claim 55, further comprising providing the optic body with vent port, and closing the entry and vent ports to enclose the chamber subsequent to said introducing of the primary and secondary fluids.
 57. A method according to claim 55, wherein the primary fluid and the secondary fluid comprise a first liquid and a second liquid, respectively.
 58. A method according to claim 57, wherein orienting the optical axis for near vision throughout a range of effective downward angles relative to the horizontal orientation positions the optical axis to extend through the fluid interface.
 59. A method according to claim 57, wherein: the first density is greater than the second density; wherein orienting the optical axis at the range of effective downward angles translates the primary liquid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the primary liquid at the anterior optical center and the secondary liquid at the posterior optical center; and wherein said introducing of the optically transmissive primary liquid precedes said introducing of the optically transmissive secondary liquid.
 60. A method according to claim 57, wherein: the second density is greater than the first density; wherein orienting the optical axis at the range of effective downward angles translates the secondary liquid toward the anterior wall and positions the optical axis to extend through the secondary liquid at the anterior optical center and the primary liquid at the posterior optical center; and wherein said introducing of the optically transmissive secondary liquid precedes said introducing of the optically transmissive primary liquid.
 61. A method according to claim 55, wherein the chamber of the optic body has gas contained therein prior to said introducing of the optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids, and wherein said method further comprises: forming a vent in the optic body, the vent communicating with the chamber; and expelling the gas through the vent during said introducing of the optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids; and sealing the vent subsequent to said introducing of the optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids. 